Our Curriculum

We aim to provide as wide a curriculum as possible. We have implemented all subjects in the National Curriculum and their various amendments. The staff have specialisms and interests covering all areas of the curriculum and they work together to achieve a well balanced education for the children.

Throughout the curriculum there is an emphasis placed on the mastery of basic skills and the understanding of underlying concepts. The achievement of high standards, social training, good manners and learning to live happily together are all important facets of the school.

Curriculum Statement

Staff and Governors believe that each child will have equal access to a rich, broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum. The curriculum will be well matched to pupils’ ages, abilities, interests, aptitudes and special needs.

Purposes

The curriculum will be used as a tool for promoting a healthier lifestyle for pupils. We support the Healthy Schools Programme.

The curriculum will be used to increase pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding as they grow and develop and become more aware of the world around them;

The curriculum will be carefully planned and structured to ensure that learning is continuous, and that pupils make good progress with the development of their learning;

The curriculum will engage the children’s interest, encourage, develop enquiring minds and motivate them to want to learn;

It will be exciting and offer pupils first hand experience to re-enforce their learning and underpin their growing knowledge, skills and understanding;

The curriculum will encourage children to develop creativity and support their development in becoming independent individuals.

Learning

The Reception Year follows the DFE Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage which includes six areas of learning:

Personal, social and emotional development;

Communication, language and literacy;

Mathematical development;

Knowledge and understanding of the world;

Physical development;

Creative development.

Year 1 to Year 6: pupils are taught:-

Overviews of the St John’s School curriculum for 2018/19 can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate year group below.

The core Mathematics, English, Science and Religious Education curriculum policies can be found here:

Science

Maths

Literacy

Religious Education

Spanish curriculum information can be found here:

The teaching of RE follows Kent’s agreed syllabus for RE. Parents may exercise their right of withdrawal from religious worship and instruction.

Cross-curricular links will be made between subjects where appropriate and the cross curricular themes including Citizenship, and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) are planned for within the curriculum.

An extensive range of high quality resources including computers and ipads will be used to underpin the curriculum.

Homework, relevant to each year group, will be set, to link the curriculum with learning at home.

Delivery

The school day provides a weekly teaching time of 23 hours 40mins for both Infants and Juniors. The curriculum is planned in such a way that it can be delivered over 38 weeks.

Assessment

The school has policies for Assessment and Monitoring.

All work carried out by the children is monitored and evaluated.

All pupils receive an end of year report in the summer term.

There are Parent Consultation meetings during terms 1 and 3. In addition meetings with teachers can be arranged by making an appointment through the school office.

Target setting

All pupils are set yearly targets for Maths, reading and writing.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Headteacher takes overall responsibility for the curriculum. Subject leaders monitor their particular subject to ensure that it is implemented consistently and effectively in line with the agreed policies. Opinions relating to the curriculum are sought from parents through the Parents Forum, from pupils through the class and school councils, and from staff and governors at their regular meetings.

Provision for pupils with Additional Educational Needs and high achievers.

Teachers plan to meet the needs of such pupils by ensuring learning is focused on individual pupils` needs and abilities. Outcomes from day to day assessment enable teachers to set targets which reflect individual pupils` skills, abilities and potential.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Opportunities

The staff and governors are keen that all pupils are provided with SMSC opportunities both within the planned curriculum and through current affairs, independent study, extra events and experiences.